Guest Post for James

On James' blog he sometimes has guest posts from survivors of orgo courses. So I wrote one. Like a good husband he humored me an read it, but I don't think he'll post it. So I'll post it here. (Oh and Joel, I'm still thinking of one for your blog)

Dr. James,

Since you seem to like getting stories about people surviving orgo, I thought I'd tell you mine.

From what I can see, there is really only three types of chemists: you make stuff, you figure out what stuff is (and how much), or you figure out what stuff does.

I think what really bothered me about orgo class is that we were learning all of these reactions, but we never actually learned how to make stuff. It was always what happens if you add this to that, and that wasn't really engaging to me. And mechanisms? UGH! BORING! I had to entertain myself by making sound effects to go with all that arrow pushing (this did not make me popular during exams).

You know what it was like? It was like three semesters of being forced to do endless scales on the piano without learning a single song.

Furthermore, I got the sense that we were learning outdated reactions that were great examples, but no one ever used anymore. How useless is that!? I want to know how to make stuff! 

Just when I had given up all hope on the lameness of orgo (my marks reflected this) I met this really cute grad student. As we started the ol' flirting game, I spent more and more time in his lab where he was doing an organic chemistry project.

It was while listening to him and his labmates go over some horrid problem in the lab, that I realized they were doing what organic chemistry is REALLY about and what I had originally imagined: making stuff. They would pick a big-honking nasty beast of a molecule and try to make it. It was while trying to solve a specific problem where they REALLY learned organic chemistry.

So for those of you who think the idea of organic chemistry is cool but are horrified by the reality of the lame classes, hang tough. I'm guessing you are also the kind of person who learned how to drive by actually driving instead of reading the manual in the glove box. Get through these horrible courses, and join a lab for a summer research project or a even a masters. From what I can tell, it is a whole different world.

As for me, I gave up on orgo and became a nanoparticle chemist. I make stuff that glows. It is awesome. I still get the shudders thinking about orgo class, but at least I know what it is really like.

As for the cute grad student? Well I married him.

See you at dinner.

Janet (orgo survivor)

The problem with distinctive clothes

When my first pay cheque came in last month, I went shopping for some work appropriate clothes and in one short visit to the TJMaxx, got three shirts.

My favorite of them, I have worn it exactly twice. It is extremely distinctive, funky and makes me look far more sophisticated than I actually am.

So when I needed to go to the Chancellor's residence for a reception for new faculty I decided I would wear it as a a little confidence boost while hob nobing with the other new folks, university big wigs and even *be still my beating heart* a Field's Medalist.

It wasn't that we were almost there-on the other side of the city- that I thought, hey didn't I wear this shirt on Wednesday when there was the lunch meeting for new faculty?

Shoot. I did.

And wait, the one other time I wore this shirt, wasn't that the time I met the Provost?

Oh no! It was!

Everyone is going to think I have one outfit!

Panic! Panic!

But then, thankfully, there was a beacon in the evening twilight. A giant red bulls-eye of respectability. The Target.

One sprint to the store, one debit card swipe and one near-indecent exposure in the parking lot, I was dressed for the party.

Getting ready

I start teaching on Wednesday. A grad course. I'm nervous.

On most of my interviews the general statement on how get tenure was: get grants, publish papers, get grants, publish papers, oh and by the way, try and be a half decent teacher.

But Vanderbilt was different in that they stressed the importance of teaching, and I can understand why when you hear about how much the undergrads pay for one year of school here.

And they weren't kidding when they said it really effects hiring. When I went to the teaching orientation last week and everyone introduced themselves to the crowd, there wasn't a single person with a quiet voice. Everyone was booming and well spoken.

Then I went to some of the grad student orientations and saw some of the professors speak about their reserach. Wow. Just Wow. I have a lot to learn about teaching and presenting from these folks.

Nashville Banjo

The Chicken and I are in a Nashvillle hotel for the week doing all sorts of things like finding a place to live, getting phones, and filling out paperwork.

Poor James, he is trying to work, which involves talking with folks by skype. The only place in the hotel with fast enough wireless is the lobby. Last night he found a great quiet corner. However tonight, is the "Songwriters open-mic" at the hotel bar.

Our quiet corner has been invaded by very loud, albiet excellent, banjo and guitar warming up behind the wall.

James kept getting more and more frustrated and repeatedly sighing angrily. Curse words may have been uttered. And then I started snickering. Then giggling. And lastly guffawing.

Finally, the Chicken Joined in.

Welcome to Nashville, kids.